The Pittsburgh Steelers had each motive to concern the worst. TJ Watt’s pursuit of Jalen Hurts ended with the linebacker leaping briefly earlier than collapsing to the bottom within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles and clutching his left ankle.
A extremely anticipated interstate matchup with Philadelphia had already changed into a catastrophe for Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Losing Watt for an prolonged interval with the AFC North nonetheless in play could be a blow, particularly with a matchup in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens looming Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
Watt mentioned after the sport he was in “wait and see” mode for that recreation. The 30-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year left with a rolled ankle that he did not essentially consider was a critical harm.
Watt, who leads the Steelers with 11.5 sacks, was examined within the medical tent and has not returned.
Watt and the remainder of the Steelers protection didn’t put sufficient stress on Hurts or decelerate DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown — every of whom topped 100 receiving yards — in a 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
The Steelers (10-4) clinched a playoff berth because of losses to Indianapolis and Miami.
“No comfort,” Watt mentioned.
The Ravens path their division rivals by one recreation and the groups will play Saturday in Baltimore.
Russell Wilson has led the Steelers to the division lead thanks partially to 6 wins in opposition to groups that presently have dropping information.
The schedule tightens down the stretch and the primary take a look at was a catastrophe.
“We should discover a approach to get off” the sphere, Watt mentioned. “We’ve been fairly good all yr on threes and getting off the sphere on third downs. We weren’t adequate right this moment. There have been a variety of lengthy, sustained drives.”
Wilson threw for a season-low 128 yards and fell to 6-1 in opposition to the Eagles. After dealing with the Ravens, the Steelers host the Kansas City Chiefs and end the season at house in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Playoff seeding and the division title stay within the steadiness.
“It’s a loss. I imply, let’s not get dramatic,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin mentioned.
But it wasn’t good.
Wilson missed a throw to Najee Harris within the third quarter and the Eagles rallied. That led to Hurts’ rating on a 1-yard drive for a 27-13 lead.
“This was the present we had in thoughts. Unfortunately it did not work,” Wilson mentioned.
It was clear that the Steelers have been lacking receiver George Pickens, who leads the workforce in receptions (55) and receiving yards (850) by a large margin. He missed his second consecutive recreation with a hamstring harm.
“Having George Pickens on the sphere is an efficient factor for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Wilson mentioned. “But both method, we nonetheless have to reply and discover methods to make performs.”
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The Steelers additionally misplaced backup quarterback Justin Fields when he took a tough hit to the stomach from security Reed Blankenship, and cornerback Donte Jackson suffered a again harm.
Injuries have made it troublesome for some Steelers, like Watt, to understand the potential for reaching the playoffs. However, the workforce’s fourth playoff look within the final 5 seasons has calmed some emotions inside the locker room.
“It’s a terrific factor for us. That’s our expectation,” Wilson mentioned. “But we wish to win this division, that is our purpose. It’s our first purpose, to win the division. We’ve acquired to go get it. We’ve acquired to go get it. We’ve acquired to discover a method on the street in Baltimore, which we all know goes to be a terrific soccer recreation .”
It could be higher for the Steelers if Watt and Pickens have been with them.
Associated Press reporting.
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